Pick up your walking pace for a healthier heart boost

Could brisk walking be the secret to a healthier heart? New research from the University of Glasgow suggests that walking briskly might do more than just boost your mood - it could significantly lower your risk of developing serious heart rhythm problems.

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The study, published in the journal Heart, analysed data from more than 420,000 participants from the UK Biobank. They self-reported their walking pace as either slow (under three miles per hour), average (three to four miles per hour), or brisk (over four miles per hour).

After adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors, the researchers found that those who walked at an average pace had a 35% lower risk of heart rhythm issues, while brisk walkers saw a 43% reduction, compared to slow walkers.

We spoke with Dr Oliver Guttmann, consultant cardiologist at The Wellington Hospital (part of HCA Healthcare UK).

What does brisk walking actually mean in terms of pace or heart rate?

"Brisk walking means walking at a pace that makes your heart beat faster and gets your body working harder," says Dr Guttmann.